Hawthorn Spartans again failed to gain traction in their season with a Round 7 defeat to St Bernards at the Spartans home ground at the Rathmine Reserve on a beautiful sunny Saturday morning.

It was a 120-72 defeat that saw the team slip one place on the Premier Thirds Table to sit on 4 points, just above Old Xaverians who have yet to score a point.

Again, it was a big injury list that was a contributing factor to the Spartans’ result with 21 players on the books officially injured last week.

“A poor first quarter, numerous turnover mistakes, fatigue and a poor last quarter were the catalyst for our loss to St Bernards,” said the Spartans’ manager George Demetriou.

“Again, we were in the game for two-and-a-half quarters but injuries again to key players, with little bench saw us tire again in the last quarter and lose. We have not won a final quarter this year, after getting within 11 points twice in the last quarter,” he said.

READ MORE: Injury-plagued Spartans fall but need to recover against St Bernards

There were improvements including the fact that there were seven individual goalkickers for the Spartans. There were also 22 scoring shots in the Spartan’s game.

Mr Demetriou praised John Farah’s pace and his scoring of a “great captain’s goal”. Stan Neohoritis’ hit-up pass for Ari Mitropoulos’ goal was also worthy of note as were Nick Criticos’ run from the backline and the tackles of Jules Ware and Nick Criticos. Alex Alagona pulled of a great mark and contributed well to the forward play.

“We are back home against St Kevin’s on Saturday (for Round 8) and we will improve sharply and look forward to playing them – they have lost three of their last four games.

“We need some players to work on getting fitter as we stick together and ensure we keep improving. It has been a real test of our depth,” said Mr Demetriou.

St Kevin’s currently lie fourth on the table on 16 points with Old Melburnians flying high (28 points) and Old Xaverians lying second on 24 points. Old Scotch (20) are third.

The game against St Kevins will start at 10.30am at the Spartans’ home ground at Rathmines Reserve. The canteen will be open.